Probiotics For Dogs Skin: How Does It Work
Probiotics are helpful bacteria that reside in your dog’s digestive tract. They help to keep the gut healthy and boost the immune system by creating a barrier against harmful invaders. Probiotics can also help with digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as providing antioxidants and other vitamins.
Probiotic supplements work by adding good bacteria directly into your pet’s system, which allows them to fight off any bad bacteria that may cause skin problems or other health issues. While this treatment is not recommended for all dogs , it is an excellent option for others who suffer from skin conditions like eczema or dermatitis caused by irritants such as pollen and dust mites, among others things that can trigger inflammation on their own skin surface area in order for them to heal properly!
Why Is Picking A Probiotic So Confusing
Now, its not my style to buy a one-way ticket to Negative Town, but when it comes to supplements its all about being discerning, making good decisions and avoiding being taken advantage of.
And why would we be taken advantage of? Well to start off, the dietary supplements market is projected to hit a valuation of U.S. $349.4 billion by 2026 and the 2012 National Health Interview Survey showed that about 4 million U.S. adults had used probiotics or prebiotics in the past 30 days .
Long story short, with all that money on the table there is bound to becorruption, lies and sneaky marketing tactics.
Now, this doesnt overshadow the fact that probiotics can help with overall wellness. Kristin Oja, DNP, FNP-C, IFCMP, and founder of STAT Wellness explains, pro and biotics literally means for life. She says, They are the beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy digestive tract, help with serotonin levels , metabolism, contribute to a healthy immune system, and better-looking skin.
They have even shown promise for a variety of conditions, including the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis and sepsis in premature infants, treatment of infant colic, treatment of periodontal disease, and induction or maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis .
The key to finding a great probiotic, however, requires making informed decisions, label reading, brand transparency and science. But Im getting ahead of myself.
Red Flag #: Does Your Probiotic Contain The Most Important Strains
While there are hundreds of different probiotic strains out there, some have been studied more than others.
Clinical trials of certain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains have provided evidence that some strains are not only more beneficial than others, but are better able to colonize the gut and survive certain conditions.
Research suggests that four of the most effective strains are:
L. plantarum: A hardy strain that survives the passage to the gut. It boosts your immunity, repairs the intestinal membrane, and also works to lower inflammation.
L. acidophilus:The most-studied Lactobacillus strain, L. acidophilus easily establishes itself in the walls of the small intestine. Its been shown to enhance absorption of nutrients and improve overall digestion, especially of dairy products.
B. longum: As one of the most common bacteria in the adult digestive tract, B. longum helps in maintaining the integrity of the gut wall. It also reduces gastrointestinal discomfort caused by stress, and regulates the acidity of the digestive tract, which inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria.
B. bifidum: Found in both the small and large intestine, B. bifidum plays a major role in the digestion of lactose-containing foods. This is especially important for adults who lose the lactase enzyme. B. bifidum also helps in breaking down complex carbohydrates, fat, and protein.
Use the code PROBIOTIC to get 20% off our probiotic. The discount code works on and our website.
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Signs Your Probiotics Are Actually Working According To Doctors
Probiotics nicknamed “good” or “helpful” bacteria by health professionals are live bacteria and yeasts that help keep your gut healthy and improve digestion. However, when you start upping your probiotic intake , it can be hard to tell if probiotics are actually making a difference. Even experts agree that it isn’t always so simple.
“There are no magic telltale signs that probiotics are working, but you may see an improvement in abdominal pain, bloating, inflammation, and weight,” Kumkum Sarkar Patel, MD, MPH, a board-certified gastroenterologist in California, tells POPSUGAR. If taken as intended, probiotics can restore and improve your gut environment, or “flora,” and overall health in several ways. If you feel the following improvements after taking probiotics, it’s likely that they’re working properly.
Signs Your Probiotics Arent Working And What To Do About It
The problem is that many existing probiotic products are ineffective. They maycontain strains that are dead or dont survive in your digestive tract, since anoverwhelmingly large percentage of probiotics die upon contact with stomach acid.Here are some signs that your probiotics arent working:
- The symptoms are not improving: If after 4 weeks of taking your probiotic
- regularly, you dont feel the therapeutic effects described above, or your symptoms have shown no improvement, it may mean that your probiotic is not working.
- You experience side effects: The most common side effects include bloating, gas, and headaches.
- You are getting sick more often: If after several weeks youre experiencing any of the above, it may be time to change your probiotic. Ideally, you want to purchase the highest quality, most potent probiotic you can afford, one which uses human-sourced strains of both lactobacilli and bifidobacteria and has been proven to survive the harsh conditions of the stomach.
If you want a probiotic supplement that is guaranteed to work, go ahead and try my Rebalance Formula. Years of research and testing went into creating a unique blend of 12 clinically-proven strains, to support the entire digestive process. Additionally, it is stored in our climate-controlled facility to make sure that it stays alive and effective so that you can see the best possible results.
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Safe To Consume Confidently
People in good health may consume probiotics at the studied CFU level as a daily supplement.4
Health care professionals should be consulted when considering probiotic supplementation for babies, women who are pregnant, individuals with a weakened immune system, or people with short bowel syndrome.4
The probiotic should be approved for human consumption by a recognized regulatory or food safety authority:
- GRAS notified to the FDA in the US 6
- QPS granted by EFSA in Europe.7
LGG® is a registered trademark of Chr. Hansen A/S.
The article is provided for informational purposes regarding probiotics and is not meant to suggest that any substance referenced in the article is intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.
Sign 7 Fewer Sugar Cravings
Some experts consider adding probiotics into the diet to be one of the best ways toreduce sugar cravings.A poor diet leads to less diversity of gut bacteria, and having an imbalance of bacteria in your gut, called dysbiosis, leads to cravings for sugary foods and drinks.Certain microbes in the gut prefer sugar, causing an increase in the number ofsweet receptors. Thus you crave and consume more sugary foods and drinks,thereby creating a snowball effect where you feed and create more sugar-lovingbacteria in the gut, causing more sugar cravings. Its a vicious cycle that can be broken by taking a high-quality probiotic, which increases the diversity and health of the gut, thereby reducing the influence of any one species of bacteria, say the sugar loving one, on the body.
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You Eat A Western Diet
Is your diet made up mostly of meat and processed carbohydrates like bread or white rice? You could have an unhealthy gut microbiome because of this.
A diet that lacks fiber does not adequately feed the good bacteria in your gut. Humans are supposed to eat a very high fiber diet made up mostly of whole plant foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. Without these healthy foods, you are not setting your gut up for success.
Ways To Tell If Your Probiotic Supplement Is Doing Its Job
There are a couple of great things that will change in your body when you start to take a probiotic supplement thats actually good these changes will generally be positive!
Some of them are more obvious such as better digestion and better energy, but you may not expect some other side effects like clear skin and mood improvements.
The first thing that people will notice when they take probiotic supplements is an improvement in their digestion.
This is because probiotics are designed to rejuvenate the balance to the flora in your gut. As such, you will often notice that you have improved regularity and frequency in your bowel movements.
You are less likely to experience a lot of gas too, and your days of bloating are numbered. As time goes on you will notice many more benefits aside from just this too.
The probiotic makes your gut microbiome much better in terms of balance, and this can improve the barrier function of your gut.
This in turn can reduce the chances of nasty pathogens and toxins from getting into your body.
As a result, your immune system is under a lot less stress, and the same goes for your liver.
This can mean that you are less likely to develop illnesses and the amount of inflammation in your system will dramatically decrease.
Inflammation can crop up in a lot of different ways, such as issues with the skin, tiredness, confusion and a struggle to concentrate.
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What Has Science Shown About The Effectiveness Of Probiotics For Health Conditions
A great deal of research has been done on probiotics, but much remains to be learned about whether theyâre helpful and safe for various health conditions.
Probiotics have shown promise for a variety of health purposes, including prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea , prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis and in premature infants, treatment of infant colic, treatment of periodontal disease, and induction or maintenance of remission in ulcerative colitis.
However, in most instances, we still donât know which probiotics are helpful and which are not. We also donât know how much of the probiotic people would have to take or who would be most likely to benefit. Even for the conditions that have been studied the most, researchers are still working toward finding the answers to these questions.
The following sections summarize the research on probiotics for some of the conditions for which theyâve been studied.
Make Sure Your Probiotic Has Multiple Strains
There are now thousands of different probiotics on the market.
But when it comes to clinical evidence and human clinical trials, there are only 4 categories that we should consider.
Understanding the benefits of various probiotic strains and how they affect digestive health is essential in order to properly evaluate which probiotic is the best supplement for you.
The image below identifies the 4 categories of probiotics that you should start experimenting with. *Note Only Category 1 to 3 is available in the US.
As you can see from the chart above. The Four Categories of Probiotics and their species include:
- Lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium
A good probiotic will have a combination of the species of more than 1 category.
The Advanced Probiotic contains Category 1 and Category 2 .
All you have to do is look at your probiotic’s label and see how many species it contains.
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Probiotics For Dogs Skin: How To Choose A Supplement
With the help of your dogs veterinarian, you should be able to identify the root cause of your dogs skin problems and prescribe the appropriate treatment plan.
But what if your vet doesnt know as much as they could about probiotics? Well, there are several things you should look for when choosing a probiotic supplement for your canine companion.
If you want to ensure that your dog gets maximum benefit from their dietary supplements, start by looking for a product with a high CFU count . This refers to how many live bacteria per capsule or serving size will actually reach the intestines alive. CFU counts vary greatly between different brands and types check online reviews before purchasing anything so that you can determine which products work best in terms of delivering results without side effects. It’s also important that these supplements remain shelf stable or refrigerated depending on how long they will be stored between uses . Not only does this make them easier on owners who may not have time during busy lives but it ensures potency throughout all stages leading up to consumption–a big factor when considering how helpful these products might be at improving overall health!
Make Sure Your Probiotic Has The Right Dosage
Probiotics are bacteria that can survive in the human GI tract and temporarily colonize the gut.
But they only survive approximately 1-2 weeks after ingestion, and should be considered transient members of the microbiome.
This is why it’s important to make sure that your probiotic has at least 10 Billion organisms per dosage.
Some of the bacteria in your probiotic are bound to die during transit to your intestines, so the more that you ingest, the greater the chance of an effective colonization.
And remember, because they’re transient you only get the benefit of probiotics when you take them consistently.
Probiotics consist of several GOOD BACTERIA that help to enhance the function of other bacteria in our body as well as protect you from BAD BACTERIA or pathogenic organisms.
Because probiotics are transient, regular use of probiotics provides optimal digestive and wellness support for your body.
Furthermore, it’s important to know that certain species of probiotics have greater survivability than others.
This leads me to the second point I have to make on How to Pick a Good Probiotic
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Side Effects Of Probiotics
While probiotics may cause gas, they have a strong track record of safetyhowever, the NCCIH notes that studies are limited on the frequency and severity of side effects. The organization does caution, however, that the risk of harmful effects from probiotics is greater for those with severe illness or compromised immune systems.
Beware Of The Internet
If you order products from the internet, make sure you know the company from which you are ordering.
There are scammers out there who are willing to send you fake products labeled as probiotics. At best, the ingredients could be harmless, like garlic powder. At worst, they could be laced with powerful herbs, prescription medications or illegal drugs. Some companies may simply take your money and disappear.
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Low Energy & Chronic Fatigue
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
Do you suffer from that low energy, groggy feeling no matter how much sleep you get or what you do?
Do you have mid-morning or mid-day energy crashes?
Believe it or not, probiotics can help!
These are all telltale signs your digestive system is stealing your energy! Digestion is one of the largest energy consumers in the body. When your gut is unbalanced, it is harder for you to digest foods causing your body to use more energy in the process.
This is one of the top causes of low energy, fatigue and weight gain. When you re-balance and repair your gut by eliminating hard to digest foods and taking a high quality probiotic, you will almost instantly see a huge increase in your energy and your health!
Sign #: You Seem To Catch Most Colds And Flus
Millions of dollars have been spent by the human microbiome project to catalog microbiome communities in people with different diseases.
As more data mounts it becomes clearer that a diverse and healthy gut microbiome has everything to do with a strong immune system and resistance to diseases, including cancer.
Probiotics in your body tackle all the different kinds of invaders that come into your body through breathing, touching, eating, and sexual contact among others.
Different bacteria work to fight pathogens in different ways. For instance, some try to crowd out invaders by keeping them from feeding and multiplying while others strengthen and guard gut and other cell linings by only allowing molecules they recognize to get through.
Probiotics also help regulate inflammatory response to attack pathogens, without going overboard. They ensure the immune system does not end up attacking your own systems and resulting in allergic or autoimmune disorders.
You know you have a probiotic deficiency if you take more sick days than others and seem to catch every bug that goes around. Probiotics also help by breaking down foods into nutrients the body can use to create white blood cells and repair damage.
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Use Probiotics To Help Your Dog Have Great Skin
Probiotics are good for your dog. Again, this is not a headline you’re going to see in the New York Times or on CNN. But it should be! Probiotics have been shown to improve your dog’s overall health and well-being, which in turn has a positive impact on their skin and coat.
In addition to helping with skin issues, probiotics can also help support your dog’s immune system. This will help them fight off any viruses or bacteria that may cause a skin condition like hot spots or allergies. The good bacteria found in probiotics promote vitamin absorption while also reducing inflammation throughout the bodyboth of which are important when it comes to keeping your dog healthy inside and out!
Things To Look For In A Probiotic
Who out there hasnt left the probiotic aisle at the grocery store feeling even more confused than when they arrived? Ive definitely been there. With all of the different brand options, shiny marketing tools, fancy digestive enzyme and real foods blends added in. how are you supposed to know what to buy? And asking a store employee is a bit of a gamble too because its unlikely that they have the healthcare training necessary to make a recommendation that is safe and effective for you. SO. MUCH. TO. THINK. ABOUT!
Should I go with a refrigerated one?
Is the $60 one better than the $20 one?
How many CFUs do I need?
What should I look for in a supplement?
Probiotic supplements are tricky for a lot of reasons , and unfortunately that last question is a toughie too. This is because probiotics really should be personalized and targeted depending on your health needs. They are definitely not one-size-fits-all kind of deal. Different probiotics can have different effects. Some have been studied for their specific benefit in GI-related conditions, whereas others have been studied for their immune-modulating properties. And on top of that, right now research does not support that fact that everyone can benefit from taking a probiotic supplement.BUT! Theres good news. Those with certain medical conditions may benefit from taking a probiotic. So if taking a probiotic is indicated for you , here are the top 3 things to look for:
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